What 'sassy' means

Sassy means someone talks or acts a little bold, cheeky, or a bit rude. It can be a funny, playful kind of attitude, or it can sound mean. It depends on the words, the voice, and whether someone’s feelings get hurt.

How sassy can sound or look

• Talking back quickly or with a sharp tone.
• Rolling eyes, smirking, or crossing arms in a bossy way.
• Saying things like “I don’t wanna!” loudly or in a cheeky voice.

Simple examples

• Playful sassy: You tease your friend and both of you laugh — that can be okay if no one is upset.
• Rude sassy: You tell someone "You’re so annoying!" in a mean voice — that can hurt their feelings.

When sassy is okay

When it’s part of a joke and everyone is laughing and happy, sassy can be playful.

When sassy is not okay

When it makes someone sad, scared, or embarrassed. If someone says mean things or makes fun of another person, that’s not okay.

What to do if someone is being sassy to you

1. Take a deep breath. Stay calm.
2. Tell them how you feel: 'That makes me sad. Please stop.'
3. If it keeps happening, walk away and tell a grown-up you trust.

How to be confident without being sassy

• Use polite words: 'Please' and 'Thank you.'
• Say how you feel with a calm voice: 'I don’t like that.'
• Stand tall and speak clearly, not loudly or meanly.

Remember: it’s okay to be bold and tell people your feelings, but always try to be kind so you don’t hurt others.